BertieWooster

The Gurkha is still there, but there's also a Little Katmandu as well as the Great Katmandu. KNown as Great Kat and Little Kat for obvious reasons. Those running them are related.

Which is not good for the waistline...

about 100 yards from my flat. Oh that didn't help did it? Corner of High Street and Thomas Street round the corner from Odd and sort of opposite Bluu

The Kathmandu mini-chain in West Disbury (two branches within a hundred yards of each other) on Burton Road received my custom last night (and very pleased I'm sure they were). Lovely Nepalese (as you'd expect from the name). But HUnters if he wants a proper curry-cafe experience and is in the city centre. Otherwise as Bapi says, EastZEast, despite the awful name, is a great much more upmarket place.

It was an allegation in Popbitch some weeks ago that the owner of the L'Pool restaurant threatened to kneecap Mr Ramsay off camera (the threat, and, presumably, the kneecapping) which rather upset him. That's an allegation only, mr and mrs lawyer.

Northern Quarter, not RUsholme. Hunters. No question---rough and ready, and the best game restaurant in the area.

Hmm, copyright theft--the moderators are very hot on that sort of thing y'know? I mean, I don't care, but they made me take down a very nice image of Bertie Wooster in his Hugh Laurie phase. Or t'other way about. Have they had the one in Liverpool with the scouse gangsters who made Ramsey cry yet?

It's days like that you know whether you're cut out for the licensed trade I guess. Remember having a lovely meal at the White Horse and Griffin in Whitby during a power cut. Candles everywhere rather complemented the 18th century building. Course, it didn't help the staff navigate the tightly packed tables and a few dishes got dropped.

Went there (Jem & I, not Air Is) end Oct. Booking on a Thursday could only get in at 6-30 on the Saturday. Our chef recommended it over GReens and the Lime Tree, but as I've not been to the latter in a reet long while, I can't compare directly. Service was good (our usual rating of 'can they cope with the missus' non-dairy thing with politeness and efficiency?' was passed flying colours-style), the space is really nice (though the view is of a car park), and I think its slightly above Thom rating it as a good neighbourhood bistro. Worth making a trip out of central manchester once the holy trinity (Establishment, Harvey Nicks, River Rooms) have been done. Sorry, back to the puns.

But mostly less is just less.

He's probably going to the bank. Smiling broadly.

Booked in for between xmas and New Year. Looking forward to it. EDIT: and, yes., I know that's a mind-blowingly stupid statement. Obviously I'm looking forward to it, otherwise I wouldn't have booked it. Put it down to sleep-cycle changing to cope with the Ashes.

Have to admit I get less irritated by the celebrity bias of OFM than with the Music monthly, still don't see what extra having David Walliams or someone interview a musician is bringing to The Observer. At least OFM doesn't have Ricky Gervais interviewing Heston or summat. Yet. In fact, get rid of Polly Vernon (have you ever met anyone who likes her articles?) and you've got the makings of a decent magazine.

Yup, one wonders who this programme is actually for. there's a feeling of it being rather smug and superior and 'we' can all join in laughing at the poor working people who don't have time to cook. While anyone that might be influenced watches, as was said, the latest witchety-grub trial. Am I alone in actually disliking cooking? That's why I go to restaurants...

I do love the man, but perhaps its my cynicism that looks at his multi-million pound pad and goes 'of course you've got the time to do all this..' I mean those ready meal freaks in last weeks, yes, three hours to make a lasagne--and when, exactly, will they have the time to do this? Its more than a tad unrealistic. (And Gill seems to do all the REAL work).

And passed today and they were indeed open. Had a chat to Olga, apparently main Anthony's will now only be open for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays, so Anthony Jr will be bouncing around between the three venues. Holly is now running the new place, but Anthony's at Flannels stays open six days (not Monday). Asked when they intended to sleep, she just laughed.

What's the USP/PoD of most places? Geography's as good as any other. Actually, from what you're saying (and I don't disagree having been there only a couple of times) Fischer's provides a useful service--putting on the trendy michelin dishes de nos jours for people stuck miles from anywhere. Maybe there's a marketing campaign there?

*holds hands over ears and sings loudly* I can't hear you...with four weeks to go to the wedding at thatNorthcote, no criticism will be heard. Though their events team could do with some training. Apparently, Northcote is looking to go for a second star. Don't see it myself. Are there any one-star restaurants that haven't 'been informed' that they're close to two?

My underbelly might be dark, but I've never been able to grow seeds on it. Tubers, yes, but not seeds. I was wondering why I never got invited to the North-western get-togethers and now I know...; - )

He always sends me to Hunters. But perhaps I'm a bit more downmarket than you Bapi?

The smokehouse restaurant in Craster was certainly a winner. Elsewhere, even the ones mentioned in the Good Pub Guides seem to concentrate on Fsh chps and little else. And even I get tired of fish n chips after a couple of days. So, the flip side of Northumbria being like the Dales thirty years ago, in terms of numbers of tourists, is that its like the Dales thirty years ago in terms of food as well. Though The Apple in LUcker is great, and, just into Scotland, The Border in Kirk Yeatholm is lovely.

Well, we're staying outside Berwick this time, but if there's good places, it will impact on where we choose next time!

We're spending more and more time in Northumbria, so any suggestions for north of Newcastle?? All seems to be a desert, but there must be some good pubs.

I'd love to, but I have absolutely no idea. It was about six weeks ago, and I just don't have that sort of memory. My complaints were more about service, the surrounding atmosphere and a feeling of complete sloppiness one night (which included the food) and then of being amazed how everything had been solved the next. Sorry...

No idea! All rather bewildering. I think the presence of the manageress got everyone working properly, and it all seemed to just flow (as it should) the second night. Everywhere has off nights I guess. Room was smallish, certainly for the money we were paying. Nicely furnished and some good touches, but compared to somewhere like Swinton Park (at not much more) for a DB&B break, it ain't in the same league. Yet.